"We've been coming here ever since he died in 2006," Donohue said. "And it's a wonderful place to be. It's an important thing to do for our veterans. They gave so much for us, and this is simple. This is simple compared to what they've done for us."

Many offered a salute, a flower or a kind word to someone who served the nation.

"It's to honor all veterans of all wars," Korean War veteran Henry Gatro said. "That's what I believe it is. It was hell over there. Been there and done that."

"We owe you a debt of gratitude that we can never fully repay," Gov. Maggie Hassan said. "But please know we will continue doing our best to try."

There are 5,000 New Hampshire service men and women buried in the state cemetery. Kimberly Gallant brought her three sons to visit the grave of their great grandfather.

"I think our society gets so wrapped up in this fast-paced world that we live in, I thought it was important to take the day to show them something that we really need to be proud of," Gallant said.